Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"One of our best trips in terms of the complete package. A wide variety of locations giving us a range of different environments and animal sightings with a good mixture of land and water.

If I were arranging it again I would not have put Tafika, Nsefu and Tena Tena all together - just two of the three would have sufficed - probably Tafika plus Tena Tena to give a slight variation of environment." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"An unforgettable trip. Everything worked well and repayed careful planning. We did 3000km in two weeks. This was far enough. We know some try and do too much and this must be a mistake as one needs to stop and draw breath and experience the desert.

Maruska was a great help when I was struggling to organise the trip on my own.

I will certainly use Expert Africa again

Suggestions for improvement:

I was very impressed with the guidebiook which became our bible. The only shortcoming was the comment on Swartfontein in the guidebook. The italians left four years ago and the new owners, although perfectly nice, are very much concentrating on hunting and those of a mild disposition may find it uncomfortable if there are hunters amongs their fellow guests.

Thanks Maruska for your care and attention." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"The whole thing was superb - we couldn't have wished for more.

Suggestions for improvement:

There is simply no room for improvement !

I should just add that although we were told that the Emerson Green hotel was not as good as it used to be, we went for dinner there on our last night and it was excellent, so perhaps it is picking up again. We even had live music into the bargain !" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Great time. Bushcamp was very organised and everything happened as they said it would. Very good attention to detail and ensuring we felt special.

All the people we met were charming and helpful and we enjoyed meeting them all. Felt very sad to leave the Bushcamp crew !

Claire did a great job putting the holiday together and listening and addressing what was important to us" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"We had a wonderful trip but due to circumstances it proved to be more of a challenge than we'd envisaged. A month before departure found us trying to rebook a week's accommodation as we had been due to stay at Kwa Maritane at Sun City which had burnt down. Rebooking proved difficult due to school holidays and Kwa Maritane looked an amazing destination. and therefore a hard act to follow.

My parents had joined us for a few days at Hazyview but reacted badly to anti-malarials resulting in my Mum's collapse on the plane from Kruger to Cape town where they stayed for two week and she made a good recovery. We stayed two nights at the Albasini Dam and three nights in tree houses on a game lodge in the Timbavati. Unfortunately here my husband was bitten by a dog and we had a long night time drive to find a doctor with anti-rabies vaccine! Fortunately as a medic myself I was able to charm a pharmacist in Johannesburg into letting me have the subsequent doses to give him. He provided freezer packs and with the help of a cool bag and the staff at our subsequent destinations (Derek Shenton was very obliging keeping the vaccine in his personal fridge) we mananged to sort out his doses.

Stress levels were already running fairly high when we heard the sad news about Cecilia and her carers and we were concerned that we may have been flying into a dangerous situation, though Chris McIntyre was as reassuring as he could be under the circumstances. We were beginning to feel slightly fated but worse was to come! On our third night at Kaingo we unfortunately had a very nasty charge from three elephants when we we heading into a curve of a dry river bed with no where to go.

Luckily for us the other vehicle from camp was there with the spotter and his gun. A shot above the elephants heads stopped them in their tracks 10 metres from our vehicle and left us all shocked. By the time we were doing the activities we had though may be packed with adrenaline at Livingstone we were just pleased to have made it that far to do them at all!! The fact that the luggage didn't arrive was really to be expected!

I can however report that we now have receipt of all bags and I would do exactly the same trip again hopefully without the mishaps next time1!

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Keep up the good work!! Well done." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"All went according to plan and the selection of camps and locations by Eleanor gave a good variety of habitat, camps and experiences" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 17 on a Tanzania safari

"Anna was great and so very helpful in helping me plan right down to helping me with pronouncing some key words in Nyanja. Emails were quickly responded to. The attention to detail was/is extradonary Thank you so much

Suggestions for improvement:

can't think of any. This was one of the best experiences I've ever had!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Very well orgaised" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"The safari part of our trip was excellent. Pole Pole was a little disappointing - quality and too long at the resort. Expert Africa should not use Beyt al Chai until it is refurbished.

We are very impressed with Exprt Africa itself. All staff very helpful and concerned that we have an enjoyable holiday (which we did).

Information provided pre deprture very comprehensive and helpful. Terrific web-site which was one of the factors that convinced us to use EA. We really felt they knew what they were talking about." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"Great experience! Lovely people and places.

Great advice and help from Anna who has tons of experience in Zambia and was well known in all the camps!

It was hotter than expected - most places just below 40C - which was a bit too much at times. No mozzies but a reasonable number of Tsetse flies - the park authorities should really try and do something about this.

Overall - wonderful, especially Mchenja

Suggestions for improvement:

No! Carry on the good service!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari